Songsterr – Metal Gaia’s Favorite Guitar Tab Site on the Internet
Wanna learn to shred like this guy?
Sonsterr is an online Tab Player, so you can listen and learn simultaneously.
Has an App for the iPhone.
Contains 80,000 tabs for playback, and 400,000 tabs for viewing.
The Quest For Truth
The truth is like a mountain top.
It is hard to get to and there are multiple points of view
Yet when you see the whole of nature, you are standing on the summit of truth.
Happy Holi! Festival of Colors and Spring
Happy Holi! Today is a celebration of Spring for Hindus. It takes place on the day after the full moon in the Hindu month of Phalguna (Early March). In order to celebrate the colorful nature of springtime, many Hindus throw colored powder at each other in this fun filled festival.
Where is it celebrated? Primarily India and Nepal. However it is also celebrated by minority Hindus in Bangladesh and Pakistan, as well as Hindus in other parts of the world.
What is the story? The word “Holi” comes from a female demon who burned to death in order to save her Nephew Prahlad. Prahlad’s father Hiranyakashipu was an evil king who forbade his son from worshipping Vishnu, but he did it anyways. Getting angry with his son, Hiranyakashipu challenged him to sit on a pyre of fire on the lap of his aunt Holika (who was believed to be immune to fire).
However, when they went into the fire, Holika burned to death and her nephew stayed alive. Afterward, Holi became a festival to celebrate Holika’s sacrifice. There are other variants on the story which you can read here if you are curious.
How is it celebrated? Holi is usually celebrated for 2 days (longer in some places). It is a loosening of social restrictions between castes, men and women, status and age. A common phrase during this holiday is “bura na mano, Holi hai,” or “Don’t be offended, it’s Holi.”
A public bonfire is held on the first evening of Holi to commemorate the burning of Holika. The fire is lit around 10 pm and midnight at the rising of the full moon.
The main ritual is the throwing of colored powders and water at friends and family, which is why it is called a “Festival of Colors.”
Soni Soni – Full Holi Song in HD – Mohabbatein (Holi Scene From Indian Movie)
The Order of Bards, Ovates and Druids
The Order of Bards, Ovates and Druids
A global order dedicated to teaching the ways of Druidry as a spirituality.
The order was started 50 years ago and now thousands across the world have joined.
Druidry itself is a spirituality that seeks a deep connection with nature as a source of wisdom.
Druidry welcomes all: males and females, you also don’t have to be a Celt to join.
Check it out.
Idunn is the nordic goddess most associated with youth, the fertility of all things that grow and maintaining what is beautiful in life. A symbol which comes to mind upon contemplation of this fresh energy is the apple, as she is the keeper of golden apples which hold the gods young and healthy. She is also the wife of Bragi, who is the god of poetry. The two sew the seeds of lively enjoyment of life, and the refreshment of the senses.
During the spring and summer when the sun is seen and felt more often, we are warmed by the rays of forgiving and generous light that causes the plants to grow, which in turn nourish us with their bounty. The sun directly provides us with vitamin D, a hormone which helps metabolism and affects the mood positively. The more sun we get, the happier we are.
Idunn’s energy…
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Recreating Ancient Greece
Want to recapture the glory of Ancient Greece? The buildings, the people, the art, the Gods?
Check out the Ancient Greek Civilization Facebook
Ternary Thinking: Problem Solving the Druid Way
Most Westerners these days take what is called a “Binary” approach to problem solving.
No, they don’t speak in “0’s and 1’s.” What I mean is that most debates and decision making approaches split a matter into two separate options (whether it be political, religious or philosophical). Then the debaters must choose one side or another.
For example: “Republicans” vs. “Democrats,” “Feminst” vs. “Anti-Feminist,” “Religious” vs. “Secular,” “West” vs. “East,” “Man” vs. “Woman,” “Black” vs. “White,” “Capitalist” vs. “Socialist”, etc.
Even in the judicial process, Supreme Court cases that decide major Amendments to the law are ______ vs. _____ (Roe v. Wade) for example.
Often times these options become opposites and are even assigned moral labels. “Good” vs. “Evil.” (A Christian Influence no doubt).
Yet the druid way offers a third option. It’s called “ternary thinking.”
The first number that guides thinking into balance is the number three. Divisions into three are called ternaries. Every ternary, according to this teaching, consists of two things opposed to each other, and a third that connects them. Thinking in ternaries considers both differences and similarities (The Druidry Handbook, Michael Greer).
Ternary thinking is inspired by the three elements in the Celtic Mythos: Earth, Air and Water.
Three is the smallest number needed to achieve balance. A three legged stool will hold you up, but if you sit on a stool with only two legs you’ll fall down.
So next time you’re about to throw punches in a philosophical or religious argument, it might be better to find the middle ground between your two opinions – rather than crashing to the floor like a two legged stool.
This isn’t to say that Ternary is the best and only way to solve all life’s problems. This is also not to say that it is the only number druids and Celts use to approach life. But it is definitely something worth trying out and contemplating.
Paganfest Tour Dates Updated
BANDS: Ensiferum, Tyr, Heidevolk, Trollfest, Helsott,
DATES SO FAR:
3/30 – Denver, CO @ Summit Music Hall
4/01 – Tempe, AZ @ 910 Live
4/02 – West Hollywood, CA @ House of Blues
4/03 – San Francisco, CA @ DNA Lounge
4/04 – Reno, NV @ The Alley
4/05 – Portland, OR @ Hawthorne Theatre
4/06 – Seattle, WA @ Studio Seven
4/07 – Vancouver, BC @ Rickshaw Theatre
4/09 – Edmonton, AB @ Starlite Room
4/10 – Regina, SK @ The Exchange
4/11 – Winnipeg, MB @ Zoo Cabaret
4/12 – Saint Paul, MN @ Station 4
4/13 – Chicago, IL @ Reggie’s
4/14 – Columbus, OH @ Al Rosa Villa
4/15 – Baltimore, MD @ Soundstage
4/16 – Philadelphia, PA @ The Note
4/17 – Toronto, ON @ Opera House
4/18 – Montreal, QC @ Metropolis
4/19 – Poughkeepsie, NY @ The Chance Theater
4/20 – Worcester, MA @ The Palladium (NE Metalfest)
4/21 – New York, NY @ Gramercy Theatre
Hamaval and Friendship
“Know this, if you have a friend
whom you trust well,
go to visit him often,
for the path which no-one treads
grows with underbrush
and high grass.”
Secrets of the Viking Sword
The Vikings were some of the fiercest warriors of their time.
Some of them carried a mysterious sword,
a sword far better than any other sword made before or since in Europe.
The secrets of its creation and use have been lost
Yet now modern day blacksmiths are about to recreate this ancient weapon:
The legendary ulfberht
The Case is Laid to Rest: Randy Blythe of LOB is a Free Man!
Yesterday, the Randy Blythe murder case in the Czech Republic was laid to rest. Randy Blythe (Lamb of God Vocalist) rose like steam from the ashes of the wake. He was declared innocent. He was facing 10 years in a Czech prison for the manslaughter of Daniel Nosek, a fan who died from injuries sustained at the band’s May 10th concert in Prague.
Daniel had made three attempts to climb onto the stage during the show – not one, not two, but three times! During one of these attempts Daniel allegdly got a push from Randy and a security guard. During the third attempt, a security guard pulled him back onto the ground. Daniel ended up dying in the hospital from his head injuries. When Randy sang “Now you’ve got something to die for,” I don’t think he meant stage diving.
VIDEO OF ALLEGED MANSLAUGHTER INCIDENT
Randy was completely unaware of Daniel’s death until the authorities took him into custody when he returned to the Czech Republic in 2012 to play another show. He was placed in jail for a month and his bail was set at 400,000. Eventually he was released to finish the Lamb of God tour, but he had to return to the Czech Republic after the tour for a trial. This last year for Randy has been a walk through hell. He was like a ghost walking…ever notice how a lot of LOB songs have to do with walking?
Anyways, March 5th was the “11th hour” of the whole ordeal so to speak and Randy was declared innocent. The following is his testimony:
“I still believe that I have acted reasonably to protect” myself, the band, and the audience, Blythe said. “If I am guilty, I will take it like a man. If I am released, [Lamb of God] will take such precautions” to ensure similar events never happen at concerts.
Metal shows are a violent business. At one of my first death metal shows, I was punched in the face as a free fist flew from the mosh pit. I’m a 95 pound female who has been slammed into by 200 pound guys. When I stand near the front of the stage or by the Mosh Pit, I know that I’m like a dwarf star about to be sucked into a black hole of fists, sweaty dudes and headbanging. If I want to avoid said violence, I can stand in the back or at the sidelines – and I certainly wouldn’t jump on stage in the middle of it all if I wanted to be safe (let alone a third time after being pushed off the second time).
Of course my sympathies go out to Daniel and his family. No one expects to die or lose a loved one to a metal show. Yet I will remark that a metal show related death is an incredibly rare event – which is amazing given the violent nature of the shows and the rowdiness of the crowd. More people die from eating cheeseburgers.
Most of the time when I witness someone fall in the mosh pit, there are other metal fans who step in the breach to pick up their fallen comrade. When I’ve been slammed into by heavy dudes for standing by the front of the stage, complete strangers have stood in the way to protect me even if I tell them it’s unnecessary. The metal community typically protect their own.
Security measures are always a good thing. But I wouldn’t take away the moshing or stage diving at metal shows for anything in the world. Do I want to stand around at a Slayer concert and give a polite clap as if I’m playing a game of cricket with the queen of England? Fuck no! This is metal bitches! As fans we understand that there are risks. I would sooner dilute a blue label scotch than water down the world’s best genre of music. People will come and go. But the Metal lives forever.
Enjoy!
The Naked Truth About Female Fantasy Armor
Ever want to kick ass as a female character in a game, only to discover that your armor is about as sturdy as a packet of toothpicks? There were female warriors in the ancient Norse and Celtic world. But realistically most of them were wearing more than a chain mail bikini and they certainly weren’t fighting in stiletto heels. I know, I know, I know; modern day fantasy games and movies aren’t a historical truth. It’s just for fun. But here is a solution below, to the female armor problem that I quite like.
Female Fantasy Armor Sucks: College Humor Video Solution
Also check out this blog: Women Fighters in Reasonable Armor
Wardruna
Themes: Norse Paganism, Spirituality, Runes
Genre: Folk Ambient
Wardruna is a popular musical projects among Heathens, Asatru, Odinists and Norse Pagans. The instruments used by this band are handmade and traditionally Scandinavian. The music itself captures an intense and ritualistic atmosphere. Each album is based on 8 of the runes of the Elder Futhark.
The project began in 2003 and since then one album has been released – two more albums are expected in the future, 8 runes on each album. Their first album, released in 2009, was “Gap Var Ginnunga.” Their second album, “Yggdrasil”, will be released March 15th in Norway, March 25th in the rest of Europe and April 2nd in North America. The date and information about the third album has not been announced yet.
Members:
Kvitrafn: Vocals, All Instruments (except fiddle)
Lindy Fay Hella: Vocals
Gaahl: Vocals (From Gorgoroth)
Hallvard Kleiveland: Norwegian Fiddle
Links:
“Gap Var Ginnunga” Album on You Tube
(I still encourage you to buy the album to support the artist, it is on You Tube to sample and promote the artist.)
Metal Gaia 